Since the establishment of Kaohsiung City Youth Care Association in 2012, Taiflex has been actively involved with youth care for more than 10 years, as we believe that caring for youth means caring for the future. Underprivileged youth, in particular, need more care and support to explore the society during their growth, as care helps to eliminate negative emotions, such as poverty, loneliness and low self-esteem, and encourages the development of self-confidence, responsibility and creativity. These supports are not only for their personal well-being and growth, but also for a more harmonious and stable society by promoting equality and inclusion.
In 2023, the Kaohsiung City Youth Care Association formulated its annual plan based on the four themes of “Scholarships for Education,” “Diverse Experiences,” “Industry-Academia Collaboration” and “Arts and Culture Sponsorships.” Together with the Taiflex Volunteers, they provided care, support, and educational assistance to economically disadvantaged families and youth nationwide. In addition, Taiflex supported activities such as the campus green space sponsorship and ones organized by the Friends of the Police Association. A total of 50 volunteers were involved with a spending of NT$1.12 million.
The Kaohsiung City Youth Care Association was formerly the Youth Care Club, a charity club initiated by our employees. The Association was registered with the Social Affairs Bureau of Kaohsiung City Government in 2012. Concurrently, the Taiflex Volunteers was established. By combining internal and external resources, we actively cultivate core competencies of youth through collaborative events in order to build confidence and deepen their cultural knowledge, as well as to extend our social influence.
Taiflex organized the Kaohsiung study tours in collaboration with Puren Youth Care Foundation, taking students out of the classrooms to explore Kaohsiung. The tours aimed to impart knowledge and culture, broaden perspectives, and give valuable experiences in innovation. In 2023, students visited the Pier-2 Art Center and participated in reality puzzle-solving activities to deepen their understanding of Hamasen and the historical and cultural significance of Kaohsiung Harbor. They also gained insights into the current status and future trends of the technology industry through MR experiences and visits to Taiflex's production lines.
“I learned a lot of different knowledge during the Kaohsiung study tours. It was a fun experience of learning while playing, and having the opportunities to interact with friends from different cities! - Student Sun from Tou-Wu Junior High School”
Youth Leadership Development Camp - Co-organized by Kaohsiung City Youth Care Association, NSYSU Leadership Club and Leadership Club of National Kaohsiung Normal University, the camp adopted the anime “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba” as the theme. Through drama, storybook sharing, and discussions, it provided teenagers with an engaging and educational learning environment. The camp aimed to help children with self-discovery and selfaffirmation, and to grow through teamwork.
3Q Teen Leadership Camp - Co-hosted by Kaohsiung City Youth Care Association and the leadership clubs of National Cheng Kung University, National University of Tainan, Chang Jung Christian University, Tainan University of Technology, National Sun Yat-sen University, National Kaohsiung Normal University, National University of Kaohsiung and Kaohsiung Medical University, the camp guided youths to enhance their Intelligence Quotient (IQ), Emotional Quotient (EQ) and Practical Quotient (PQ) in the era of robust artificial intelligence (AI) developments. It also cultivated gratitude, empathy, self-discipline, leadership, and other critical core values to generate positive impact.
“Even with many disadvantaged groups in the world, there are always people willing to take action to help the society, making it more beautiful and better. This visit inspired me and touched my heart. I hope more people can dedicate themselves to developing sustainable communities, so that more resources can be utilized sustainably. - Student D”
EDU Power - Through the industry-academia collaboration between our Sustainable Development Center and the National University of Kaohsiung, Kaohsiung City Youth Care Association teamed up with students from Chung-Shan Industrial & Commercial School to practice zero waste and recycling at the Tzu Chi Recycling Center in Daliao, demonstrating the concept of loving oneself, caring for others, and cherishing the earth through concrete actions. At the end of the year, we joined the charity event organized by Chung-Shan Industrial & Commercial School with family gatherings of three generations showing respect for the elderly and care for the youth, to promote filial piety and environmental conservation, as well as to build a caring and sustainable society that advocates for the disadvantaged.
Free movie event for charity at Christmas - Kaohsiung City Youth Care Association invited students and teachers from Wun-Shan Senior High School, along with private voluntary organizations such as Puren Youth Care Foundation, Sunshine Social Welfare Foundation, and the Syin-Lu Social Welfare Foundation to the screening of Big, a film directed by Te-Sheng Wei. The movie depicts heartwarming stories of children and teenagers from diverse social backgrounds staying in the “816” ward battling cancer. It sends a warm and inspiring message to enhance social resilience.
“Watching the charity movie with classmates on a cold night made us feel physically and emotionally warm afterwards. It helped us realize that we shall take on a positive, active and optimistic attitude and confront challenges in school, family, health and life head on. - Student Chen from Wun-Shan Senior High School”
Kaohsiung City Youth Care Association sponsored the new production of Neo-Classical Chamber Ensemble in 2023, “Soundscape Documentary Music Theatre-25's Qijin White Roses Chronicle.” The musical drama is based on the shipwreck tragedy 50 years ago involving the deaths of female workers commuting between Qijin and Kaohsiung Export Processing Zone. It transforms the tragedy into reflections on shared human values and a tribute to human life and dignity. Kaohsiung City Youth Care Association sponsored the public performance with a total of NT$200,000. Furthermore, Taiflex arranged for the Ensemble to perform at the 2023 Taiflex yearend party with an audience of thousands to enhance its exposure.
Kaohsiung City Youth Care Association sponsored the Neo-Classical Chamber Ensemble and arranged for its performance at the 2023 Taiflex year-end party with an audience of thousands.
In support of SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being, SDG 13 Climate Action, and SDG 17 Partnerships for the Goals, Taiflex has adopted green spaces in RuiFeng Elementary School and Aicyun Primary School at Qianzhen District through the green space sponsorship program initiated by the Bureau of Environmental Protection, Kaohsiung City Government since 2021. This initiative not only improves the air quality of neighborhood areas but also supports ongoing campus greening efforts, contributing to the vision of Kaohsiung as a green ocean city.
Taiflex received the “Community Contribution Excellence Award” in 2022 and the “Distinction Award” from Environmental Protection Administration in 2023 for green space sponsorship at air quality purification zone. These recognitions highlight Taiflex's collaborative efforts with the Bureau of Environmental Protection in safeguarding green spaces for future generations.
In 2023, the Taiflex Cycling Club promoted a bike commuting initiative, encouraging cycling to work and improving the usage rate of low-carbon transportation in Kaohsiung. This initiative was well received by colleagues.
During the campaign from October to December 2023, colleagues were bonded through the event, sharing commuting experiences with each other. Some would ride their bicycles directly to work and park in the motorcycle parking lots, while others would adopt a combination of MRT and U-bike, which not only saved the costs of acquiring and maintaining a bike but also benefited from transfer discounts or bundled offers of the MRT monthly pass. Unless a frequent use of car or motorcycle is required at work, cycling to work is an easily accessible activity to take on.
During the campaign, the Taiflex Cycling Club promoted safety practices, requiring everyone to wear safety helmets and use bicycle lights. It also collaborated with the police and officers of the export processing zone to advocate for and enforce the ban on motorcycles in bike lane, as well as to maintain the street lights along the bike lane for a cyclist-friendly commuting route. Moreover, through commuting surveys and discussions, the Club analyzed important factors concerning bike commuting and identified traffic safety, shower facilities, and weather as primary considerations. The Company also provided ample support by offering access to shower facilities and toiletries.
The bike commuting initiative promoted communication among employees. They discovered the fantastic benefit of time saved from workouts after work by combining commuting with exercise. There were also discussions on safer traffic routes and the advantages of separating bike and motorcycle lanes. Furthermore, the calculation of carbon reduction effectiveness brought a sense of achievement and satisfaction.
Colleagues who originally had doubts about the feasibility of cycling to work discovered unexpected surprises and fun once started, as they were able to enjoy the natural scenery on top of having an uplifted mood. Both their physical and mental health were noticeably improved, and they could feel daily progress with an app tracking relevant data. The number of rides and carbon reduction benefits had doubled during the period. Since October, the number of participants had climbed steadily along with a monthly increase in the number of rides, which reached 207 rides in December for a total distance exceeding 1,620 kilometers and a CO2 reduction of 154 kg. The success of the bike commuting initiative left everyone with fond memories.
